Harrogate Town 2-1 Boston United

United found themselves with a mountain to climb after conceding twice, controversially, inside 18 minutes, with Andy Gascoigne and Ryan Fallowfield on target for the hosts.

The Pilgrims thought they had cut the deficit on the stroke of half-time but referee Scott Oldham deemed that Scott Garner's effort had not crossed the line and although Jones did score with three minutes to play, United ultimately came up short.

United had been dealt a blow before kick-off with defender Carl Piergianni ruled out through illness. Sunderland loanee Tom McNamee was one of four players coming into the side, with Rene Steer beginning a three-match ban.

On a snow-covered surface, Town got to grips better with the tricky conditions early on and took the lead with 11 minutes on the clock. Grant Roberts was fouled and laid injured as Town quickly countered and Fallowfield's cross from the right was emphatically slammed home by GASCOIGNE from the edge of the box.

Harrogate's second goal was shrouded in controversy too. Experienced striker Paul Clayton rounded keeper Joel Dixon but ran the ball out of play before squaring to FALLOWFIELD for a simple tap-in, with referee Oldham allowing the goal to stand.

United responded and Town keeper Peter Crook did well to deny Liam Marrs at his near post, before denying ex-Harrogate loanee Dayle Southwell and seeing the same player blast an effort wide in separate moves.

Boston pushed strongly for a route back into proceedings before the break and Crook excelled to keep out Jones' angled drive.

The resulting Nicky Walker corner saw Garner stab goalwards and over the line according to the United players and fans in the immediate vicinity. Referee Oldham dashed to the scene but adjudged that Crook had clawed the ball to safety.

The second half was predominantly a case of Town keeping United at arm's length. Chances were rare until David McGurk produced a stupendous block to throw himself in front of substitute Marc Newsham's goalbound strike.

Town had a chance to seal the victory when Dominic Rowe's cross-shot looped up for Clayton, but he blazed the ball straight at Dixon who was able to tip it over for a corner.

United threw everything at Town in the closing stages and once Southwell's shot deflected wide, JONES met Walker's corner with a towering header to renew belief in the Pilgrims' camp.

Jones subsequently headed over from another Walker corner and Crook produced heroics with virtually the last kick of the game to miraculously prevent Newsham's effort from entering the net for arguably a deserved leveller.

Harrogate (3-4-3): Peter Crook; Lewis Turner, David McGurk, Luke Shiels; Ryan Fallowfield (Adam Nowakowski 90), Cecil Nyoni, Andy Gascoigne, Louie Swain; Jordan Thewlis (Craig Nelthorpe 81), Paul Clayton, Jack Emmett (Dominic Rowe 69). Subs (not used): James Walshaw, Jamie Milligan.

Boston (4-4-2): Joel Dixon; Liam Marrs, Tom McNamee (Michael Hollingsworth 46), Zak Mills, Greg Tempest (Alex Simmoms 74); Kaine Felix (Marc Newsham 74), Scott Garner, Grant Roberts, Nicky Walker; Dayle Southwell, Mark Jones. Subs (not used): Jamie McGhee, Ollie Price.

Referee: Scott Oldham.

Attendance: 460.

PIC: Ken Fox.